Recent News

Thirteen UWS alums eligible for annual professional draft

METUCHEN, NJ - The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) released the preliminary list of registered players for their 2019 College Draft this past week. The draft will take place on Thursday, January 10 at 12:00 PM ET at the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Convention at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. Thirteen United Women's Soccer (UWS) alumni are on the initial list of draft-eligible players, highlighted by 2018 All-UWS Second Team selection Sabrina Flores (University of Notre Dame / LA Galaxy OC Women) and 2018 West Conference Offensive Player of the Year Hailey North (University of Utah / Real Salt Lake Women).

"We want to wish all of the players on the NWSL Draft list the best of luck in the pursuit of their professional dreams," said UWS Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. "Its great to see so many UWS alumni getting the chance to reach the next level. We do our best to create an environment that helps them take the next step up in their soccer careers."

There is still time for prospective draftees to add their names to the list. The deadline for application is 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. More NWSL College Draft information, including how players can register for the draft and eligibility requirements as well as the draft order for NWSL member teams can be found HERE. To follow all the action of the 2019 NWSL College Draft, use #NWSLDraft and follow the NWSL on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For the full list of eligible players, click HERE.

A deep pool of talent follow Flores and North from the UWS ranks that includes three-time NAIA All-America First Team forward Millene Cabral and C-USA Goalkeeper of the Year Kelsey Daugherty. Midfielder Mariel Gutierrez was the 2018 Big Sky Offensive MVP and also received Big Sky Golden Boot & Big Sky Conference First Team honors. A pair of Rochester alums in America East Defender of the Year Caroline Kopp and America East Striker of the Year Mariah Williams look to make the jump to the next level. Mountain West Conference First Team midfielder Lauren Milliet and Mid-American Conference Second Team forward Lexi Pelafas round out the top UWS prospects.

About United Women's Soccer (UWS): We are a national women's soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer. UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars. You can follow UWS on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media can contact the UWS Communications office by e-mail at UWSPress@gmail.com. You can visit the league's official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.

14 league standouts nab ultimate individual recognition

METUCHEN, NJ - The end-of-season awards wrapped up recently in the collegiate ranks and a slew of current & former United Women's Soccer (UWS) alumni were honored for their fall competitive seasons. All and all, thirteen UWS stars were named All-Americans in their respective divisions which include DI-III, NAIA and Junior College. Familiar names include the 2017 UWS Player of the Year & Florida State University midfielder Deyna Castellanos and DII CCA East Region Player of the Year & University of Bridgeport forward Maegen Doyle, who both helped lead their teams to national championships.

"We would like to congratulate all of our UWS alumni on the conclusion of their fall seasons," said UWS Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. "And we want to especially recognize those standouts who were bestowed one of the ultimate honors in all of collegiate sports. Being named an All-American holds enormous value and these players are now all-time legends for their respective college programs."

First Team
D Veronica Herrera (Iowa Western Community College - Colorado Pride)

* two-time selection
** three-time selection
*** four-time selection

About United Women's Soccer (UWS): We are a national women's soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer. UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars. You can follow UWS on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media can contact the UWS Communications office by e-mail at UWSPress@gmail.com. You can visit the league's official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.

Nine current & former stars raise DI & DII championship trophies

METUCHEN, NJ - The Fall 2018 season in the NCAA concluded this past weekend with the crowning of national champions in the Division I & II ranks. Both finals saw pulsating contests that were decided by slim 1-0 margins. Florida State University won their second-ever College Cup title over the University of North Carolina while the University of Bridgeport topped perennial DII powerhouse Grand Valley State University for their first-ever NCAA championship. United Women's Soccer (UWS) talent dotted the championship sky, as five league alumni suited up for Florida State and four for Bridgeport. Even more (eight altogether) competed for the runner-up UNC Tar Heels and GVSU Lakers.

"Congratulations to Florida State University and the University of Bridgeport on their respective championships!" said UWS Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. "Its great to see so many players from United Women's Soccer excel with their collegiate programs. We take pride in preparing players for their fall competitive seasons."

Seminoles defender/midfielder Olivia Bergau, midfielder Deyna Castellanos, defender Natalia Kuikka and midfielder Emily Madril starred for the Santa Clarita Blue Heat during the 2017 season, helping the team reach the UWS National Final. Castellanos was the 2017 UWS National Player of the Year while Kuikka was named the UWS West Defensive Player of the Year. Both players were also All-UWS First Team selections. FSU goalkeeper Brooke Bollinger patrolled the net for the Orlando Kicks in 2018, who took part in a provisional season in the newly-formed Southeast Conference. UNC forward Alex Kimball suited up for the Real Salt Lake Women this past summer.

Purple Knights midfielder/forward Maegan Doyle, midfielder/forward Marieke Kramer and defender Karoline Vieira played for the New York Surf during the 2018 season while forward Elin Eklund had a great season with the Rochester Lady Lancers. Eklund was named to the 2018 UWS East Second Team for her efforts. Grand Valley State fell just short of a sixth national championship title (which would have set a new DII record) but the Lakers should still feel proud. Seven GVSU stars have taken the pitch in our national pro-am league, led by 2018 Midwest Defensive Player of the Year & All-UWS First Team honoree Olivia Trombley and All-UWS Second Team midfielder Riko Sagara.

Trombley and Sagara starred for Lansing United this past summer, as the first-year organization won the regular season title in the Midwest Conference and fell one win shy of qualifying for the UWS National Championship. Lansing United were named the 2018 UWS Co-Organization of the Year alongside Calgary Foothills Women's FC. Midfielder Darline Radamaker (Detroit Sun FC), defender Sydney O'Donnell (Michigan Legends FC), defender Cecilia Steinwascher (Detroit Sun FC), forward Corey Sawall (Lansing United) and goalkeeper Callie Rich (Fort Wayne United) round out the rest of league alumni who wore GVSU Lakers colors this past fall.

About United Women's Soccer (UWS): We are a national women's soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer. UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars. You can follow UWS on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media can contact the UWS Communications office by e-mail at UWSPress@gmail.com. You can visit the league's official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.